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Sunday, August 21, 2011

La Castilla Museum

One of the tourist destinations (historical sites) we had during our Divine Mercy Shrine and CDO (stands for Cagayan de Oro) City tour last August 19 and 20, 2011 handled by the Bohemian Express Travel and Tours Inc. is the "La Castilla Museum of Philippine Household Heirlooms and Antiques". This is actually my first time to visit this museum.

La Castilla Museum is originally the summer residence of the late Founders of Liceo de Cagayan University (The Rodolfo and Elsa Pelaez Family). It is located in Rodolfo N, Pelaez Boulevard Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines beside the Liceo de Cagayan University. It has a total area of 11,000 square meters. The 1st floor exhibition area has a total area of 365 square meters while the 2nd floor has 416.77 square meters. 1997 was the year it became a Museum. As the museum mission statement says:

"La Castilla Museum of Philippine Household Heirlooms and Antiques in the 20th Century is dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the historical and cultural heritage found in the personal memorabilia of the Founfers of the Liceo de Cagayan University and nstill an appreciation for them in the context of local history and culture."

The specific objectives of the museum are as follows:

- To keep alive the memory of the Founding couple of the Liceo de Cagayan University, Atty. Rodolfo Neri Pelaez and Sra. Dona Elsa Pelaez-Pelaez through their personal collection of household heirlooms and antiques representative of both local and foreign cultures.

- To familiarize future generations with a Filipino lifestyle in the 20th Century.

- To instill a sense of mationalism, awareness and appreciation of Cagaya-anon local history and culture.

"La Castilla Museum - Museum of Philippine Household Heirlooms and Antiques (The Rodolfo and Elsa Family Memorabilia). As the summer residence of the late Founders of Liceo de Cagayan University, La Castilla immortalizes a Filipino lifestyle of a genteel era in 20th century Cagayan de Oro and stands as a cultural heritage to all generations who shall henceforth come this way. -February 24, 2000"

What's unique about this museum is that the items are personal collections of the Rodolfo and Elsa Family. These items of antiquity are actually came from the foreign lands such as Austria, USA, China, Europe and the like. I was really amazed like "WOW"! These are all awesome!

I almost forgot, the museum have an entrance fee of 50 php for adults and 20 php for students.

If you wanna visit this museum, make sure that you call in advance. You may contact Mr. Emmanuel N. Echem, the Museum Director with these contact information: Tel. (088) 858-4093 to 95 Loc. 119. Fax (088) 858-3123, (8822) 72-2244. Or better yet contact the (BETTI) Bohemian Express Travel and Tours Inc.(accredited by the Department of Tourism) to have a reservation for you. Located in Door #10 Rodolfo N. Pelaez Blvd., Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City, 9000 Philippines. Tel.#: (088) 858-1554; (08822) 71-4332. Emal Add: bohemian_ett@yahoo.com

(Grecian Golden Lady attired in Greek costume pouring water from a jar. Bought in the USA, 1969 by Sra Elsa P. Pelaez she took up her course in Interior Decorating. Universal Statuary Con., 1962 Chicago Illinois.)

(Princess Jar from the Stoneware Chinese Sung Dynasty 960-1279 century AD. So called because of its dainty base. Perfect piece with a rolled out mouthrim and 4 horizontal ears. Incised upside down ogival arches on the shoulders. Incised floral vine on the body. Brown glaze. Unglazed foot, footrim and base. Property of Dr. Rafeaelita P. Pelaez)

(For me, this is the most amazing item since all of the crystals are made by hands-"barely hand-made")